With the preseason behind us and the roster set for the most part, its time to look forward towards the 2015 season. That’s right folks, it’s Week 1. Get excited.
In this column, lets take a look at the Chiefs schedule and will make way-to-early predictions on just how the Chiefs will do. We’ll start by analyzing the first quarter of the season, which will go a long way in foretelling the fortunes of the 2015 Kansas City Chiefs.
Week 1 at Houston Texans: Win
While the Texans have the best player in the league, J.J. Watt, they still have no quarterback. Houston also had no proven running back with the loss of Arian Foster and is lacking offensive weapons with the departure of Andre Johnson. This is a very low-scoring game in all likelihood, as both the Chiefs and the Texans will lean on their respective defenses to keep them in and possibly the win game.
The Chiefs are a better team. It will be interesting or scary, depending on your perspective, to watch how the tackles do against a solid Texans front led by the ubber-elite Watt, veteran Vince Wilfork, and Jadeveon Clowney.
Week 2 vs. Denver Broncos: Loss
This game, so early in the season, will be an interesting measuring stick for the top teams in the division. Peyton Manning has looked rather pedestrian all preseason, and with a new coach in Denver, the possibility of this being Manning’s last season is growing. The game is at home and on Thursday night, so Arrowhead should be rocking.
Kansas City seemingly has never defeated Manning in his career (yes, it’s happened before), and Manning hasn’t been knocked around yet, so until Kansas City defeats Manning, it’s hard to pick it to do so. Also, with Sean Smith suspended, and Dontari Poe in all likelihood out for this game, the defense is missing some key pieces. Manning has shown an ability to find the holes in young players, so Marcus Peters will have to step up his game in a hurry.
Week 3 at Green Bay Packers: Loss
The Chiefs will be facing Aaron Rodgers, in Green Bay, without Sean Smith. Obviously the Chiefs won’t have to face Jordy Nelson, as he’s out, but the idea of Randall Cobb along with Rodgers and Eddie Lacy is a tough task. Dontari Poe is likely to be out for this game as well, so winning this game will be tough.
The Chiefs could win, but picking them to do so on the road against the best quarterback in football is a tough call. It’s tough to win games in Lambeau Field, especially against the best quarterback in the league, in weather that will probably not hinder the passing game. This will the be last game the Chiefs are without Smith, and his return will be well received.
Week 4, Cincinnati Bengals: Win
Cincinnati is a solid football team, but the Chiefs, at least on paper, are better. A.J. Green is obviously a beast outside as a receiver, a player hopefully Kansas City is able to contain. The Bengals do possess other good players, such as running back Jeremy Hill and tight end Jeremy Eifert, but one would have to think the Chiefs should be able to contain the attack.
The Bengals do have a very solid defense and at this point in the season, we should have a better idea just how the offense will be able to move the ball down the field, and how the line is doing.
Lets get the party started!